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Agent: Tigers' Nicholas Castellanos wants trade sooner rather than later

The Detroit Tigers began their winter caravan across the state on Thursday afternoon. But when the buses left Comerica Park, heading around metro Detroit and to Southwest Michigan, one of the team’s few recognizable faces wasn't on board.

Nicholas Castellanos didn't have to answer any questions about his seat on the trading block on Thursday because of a previous commitment that will also force him to miss TigerFest on Saturday. As in, when will he be traded? Where will he be traded to? Or, what will the Tigers get back in return?

Tigers right fielder Nicholas Castellanos in the dugout during a game against the Royals at Comerica Park on Sept. 20, 2018.(Photo: Raj Mehta, USA TODAY Sports)

“He wants to win and understands the direction of the franchise right now is to procure prospects,” Castellanos’ agent, David Meter, said Tuesday night. “That being said, he would rather start with his new club going into spring training.”

Castellanos, 26, is expected to get traded before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. The Tigers have been fielding calls on him since last season, but the saturated free agent and trade markets have yet to produce a serious suitor.

Castellanos is one of the final trade chips to be moved in the Tigers' rebuild, and the franchise wants to find the ideal fit. Because of his sub-par defensive play in his first full season in right field in 2018, that fit has been hard to find.

But Castellanos can help any team offensively. In 2018, he hit .298 with 23 home runs and 89 RBIs in a career-best season. He is a middle-of-the-lineup hitter, entering the prime of his career and is signed to a reasonable $9.95 million for this year.

Castellanos’ reason for wanting clarity is obvious: spring training starts next month and getting acclimated to a new team would be more beneficial than having trade rumors loom heading into the season.

Teams that have inquired about Castellanos over the past year include the Astros, Braves, Dodgers, Indians, Mets and Phillies.

Tigers right fielder Nicholas Castellanos, right, celebrates with Victor Martinez after hitting a solo home run during the first inning on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif.(Photo: Mark J. Terrill, AP)

The Tigers’ price on Castellanos is believed to be one top-level prospect.

In exchange for Martinez, the team received three middle infield prospects, including Dawel Lugo.

If the Tigers do not trade Castellanos — which seems unlikely — they could extend him a qualifying offer and receive a compensatory draft pick after the first round if he signs a contract worth more than $50 million, which is expected.

The team’s goal is to acquire a prospect they believe is better than the draft pick. Castellanos’ goal is to win. Both sides are on board with a trade — finding a match is the last hurdle to clear — but one side is hoping it happens before camp begins next month.